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There are a number of undergraduate diversity institutes in philosophy. These institutes operate independent of one another, but share the overarching goal to encourage and support undergraduates from underrepresented groups in philosophy. Each institute normally accepts 10-20 students per year.

The information below is updated regularly, but be sure to consult the websites of the individual institutes for the most up-to-date information.

COMPASS at Michigan

The Department of Philosophy at the University of Michigan is thrilled to announce “COMPASS at Michigan: a workshop for students considering graduate school in Philosophy.” This workshop will bring together students from a diversity of backgrounds for a weekend of philosophical discussion, networking and mentoring. Advanced undergraduates and M.A. students (first and second year) are eligible to apply.

Dates: September 29 – September 30, 2017

Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Application Information:
Applications are accepted until April 15, 2017. To apply, please send the following documents to compassatmichigan@umich.edu:
1) Academic statement: What is your level of studies? What areas of Philosophy interest you the most and why? What are your future plans in studying Philosophy? If you are writing a senior or MA thesis please include a brief description of it. (maximum length: 2 page double spaced)
2) Personal statement: Describe your experience in Philosophy as member of an underrepresented group and/or describe your sustained commitment to diversity in Philosophy. (maximum length: 2 page double spaced)

About the Workshop:Applicants should meet one or more of the following criteria:
-Be part of a group/demographic underrepresented in academic Philosophy
-Have demonstrated a sustained commitment to diversity in Philosophy
Workshop participants are expected to have read in advance 4-6 papers from a range of subfields (depending in part on the interests of accepted participants). In addition to sessions discussing the papers, there will be two sessions devoted to mentoring and advice from faculty members and graduate students on graduate school applications and graduate student life. All transportation, accommodation (Sept. 28 through Oct. 1, 2017), and food costs will be covered for the students selected. Students selected to participate will be notified by the end of May, 2017.

Philosophy in an Inclusive Key Summer Institutes (PIKSI)

The two PIKSI programs are affiliated with one another but operate autonomously. The are funded in large part by grants from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the APA, as well as their host institutions.

PIKSI-Boston

PIKSI-Boston, founded in 2015, is held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is also supported by the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Dates: June 20 – June 27, 2017

Location: Cambridge, MA

Application Information:
Applications are accepted until January 31, 2017. The two PIKSI institutes use a shared application process. Applicants must complete an online application and submit a transcript and writing sample, and each must have a faculty sponsor. Undergraduates and recent graduates from underrepresented groups such as women, African Americans, Chicano/as and Latino/as, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, LGBTQA persons, economically disadvantaged communities, and people with disabilities are urged to apply.

About the Institute:PIKSI summer institutes are designed to encourage undergraduates from underrepresented groups to consider future study of philosophy. Transportation and lodging are provided; stipends are awarded to all.

PIKSI-Rock

PIKSI-Rock, founded in 2006, is held at the Rock Ethics Institute at Penn State University.

Dates: June 21 – June 30, 2017

Location: State College, PA

Application Information:
Applications are accepted until January 31, 2017. The two PIKSI institutes use a shared application process. Applicants must complete an online application and submit a transcript and writing sample, and each must have a faculty sponsor. Undergraduate women or men from underrepresented groups such as African Americans, Chicano/as and Latino/as, Native Americans, Asian Americans, LGBTQA persons, economically disadvantaged communities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

About the Institute:PIKSI summer institutes are designed to encourage undergraduates from underrepresented groups to consider future study of philosophy. Transportation and lodging are provided; stipends are awarded to all.

Pittsburgh Summer Program 1

Application Information:
Send the following three documents (Word or PDF) to cjo13@pitt.edu: CV (including College/University affiliation, major, GPA, high school, awards & recognition, any philosophy courses taken). Cover letter describing your interests in philosophy of science (including the philosophy of physics, biology, cognitive science, neuroscience, social sciences, etc.). Please briefly indicate relevant demographic information (racial/ethnic heritage, gender, etc.). A faculty member should also send separately a letter of recommendation on behalf of the applicant to the same email address: cjo13@pitt.edu.

About the Institute:
The Summer Program will feature two daily graduate seminars and some shorter lectures about core issues and cutting-edge topics in general philosophy of science and philosophy of the special sciences (physics, biology, cognitive science and neuroscience, social sciences). The seminars and lectures will be given by the internationally recognized faculty in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science and the Department of Philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh as well as in the Department of Philosophy at Carnegie Mellon University. Visiting lecturers include Quayshawn Spencer (U. Pennsylvania, Philosophy of Biology and on Race) and Serife Tekin (Daemen College, Philosophy of Psychiatry).

Rutgers Summer Institute for Diversity in Philosophy

Now in its 20th year, the institute founded by Prof. Howard McGary is held at Rutgers University.

Dates: July 30 – August 5, 2017

Location: New Brunswick, NJ

Application Information:
Applications are due May 8, 2017. Eligible students must demonstrate how their experiences and background foster greater diversity in the discipline of philosophy and be full-time students in a college or university in the United States (preference will be given to sophomores and juniors, though others are eligible). Interested students must be in good academic standing and be interested in philosophy as a career.

About the Institute:This seven-day program is designed to introduce undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds to the various areas of specialization within the discipline of philosophy, give students a better idea of what graduate studies in philosophy is about, and explore various views about what it means to be a professional philosopher. The institute provides travel, room and board, and a stipend.

Summer Immersion Program in Philosophy at Brown University

SIPP at Brown began in 2015. It is hosted and supported by Brown University.

Dates: July 16 – July 29, 2017.

Location: Providence, RI

Application Information:
Applications are due March 15, 2017. Students currently in their junior year of undergraduate studies who are interested in pursuing a career in philosophy and who identify with a traditionally underrepresented group in the field are invited to apply. (These groups include women, students of color, and disabled persons.) SIPP will also take applications from students who are in their senior year, or who already have a degree, as long as they have not yet applied to graduate school. Applicants must complete an application form and provide a transcript and writing sample.

About the Institute:
SIPP@Brown is a two week residential program. Students attend two daily seminars and participated in regular evening activities arranged by the Brown Department of Philosophy. Admitted students are housed in Brown University dorms and receive a stipend and travel costs.

UCSD Summer Program for Women in Philosophy

The UCSD Summer Program for Women in Philosophy held its first institute in 2014. It is hosted and supported by the University of California at San Diego.

Dates: June 25 – July 8, 2017.

Location: San Diego, CA

Application Information:
Applications are normally due in early spring (March 1, 2017). Participants must be women who are US or Canadian citizens and enrolled in an accredited 4-year college or university. Preference is given to students in their junior year, but sophomores are also eligible. While academic ability and philosophical promise are the main criteria for selection, the selection committee will also give some weight to applicants who come from colleges or universities with smaller or more limited resources, and also applicants who have encountered factors that present hardships to their pursuit of higher education (including financial and cultural factors).

About the Institute:
The two-week program features two intensive courses and a variety of workshops, all geared towards providing an engaging philosophical learning experience and preparation for applying to graduate school in philosophy. Participants will be provided with housing and meals, will have transportation costs covered, will have all course and workshop materials provided, and will receive a stipend.